Space is far bigger than humanity can conceive. Although our ancestors visually examined the skies to make sense of the Universe, for centuries space exploration in its truest sense is just a moment in this historical timeline, yet it is how we've significantly improved our understanding of the cosmos.

Author: Dhara Patel

This book begins with the evolution of astronomy, including notable characters, scientific breakthroughs and pinnacle moments. It delves into the development of robotic spacecraft and what uncrewed and crewed missions above and beyond our planet have uncovered. It questions how this knowledge will aid us in our future space endeavours, and the myriad questions that remain unanswered.

From stargazing to stepping on the Moon, and from space stations to the prospect of commercial spaceflight, learn more in Dhara Patel's concise history of space exploration.

Dhara Patel is an astronomer and science communicator at Royal Observatory Greenwich. She began her career as a secondary school science teacher after completing a Masters in physics. She has spent the last five years sharing her passion for science and astronomy from the Observatory, as well as at national science festivals and through the media.